A coroner has ruled that Emma Atkinson, 38, did not intend to take her own life when she fell from the ninth floor of a Leeds tower block on 22 October 2024, though the act of climbing out of the window was deliberate.
At 10:20 BST, Atkinson exited the window of her father’s flat in Shakespeare Towers, Burmantofts, while visiting him. Paramedics arrived within minutes, but Atkinson was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining multiple severe blunt force injuries described as not survivable by hospital staff. Her baby daughter, later named Posie, was delivered via emergency C-section 23 minutes after the fall and has since made a full recovery.
The Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard evidence that Atkinson had previously attempted suicide twice, including an overdose, and had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Family members told the court she loved her children and had no history of violence toward them. Atkinson was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.
Family account of the incident
Atkinson’s father, David Atkinson, provided a written statement to the court detailing the morning’s events. He said his daughter asked for cigarettes, sat on the back of a chair near the window, and smoked while he was in the room. Atkinson removed the window safety catches and opened the pane fully before telling her father she was “just getting some air.”
When her father asked her to close the window due to the cold, Atkinson responded that she was fine and said, “I’m off,” before climbing out. David Atkinson told the court he initially thought he was “having a nightmare” when he saw her feet disappear from the window. He rushed downstairs, where an off-duty doctor performed first aid on Atkinson and her unborn child.
Medical response and outcome
Paramedics arrived at 10:23 BST and continued CPR en route to Leeds General Infirmary, where Atkinson arrived at 10:43 BST. Despite efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The baby was delivered by C-section at 10:46 BST and transferred to neonatal care. Hospital staff described the infant’s survival as “unexpected and much welcomed.”
The narrative verdict from Assistant Coroner Naomi McLoughlin stated there was insufficient evidence to conclude suicide, though the deliberate act of exiting the window was confirmed. The coroner did not specify an alternative cause of death, leaving the circumstances classified as undetermined.
Background on Atkinson’s mental health
The inquest revealed Atkinson had expressed concerns to doctors about a possible mental health disorder and had two prior suicide attempts. Family members testified that she had a close relationship with her children, including the newborn’s four older siblings. No evidence was presented suggesting harm to others or a planned self-harm episode.
The case has drawn attention to mental health support for pregnant women and the challenges of assessing risk in sudden, isolated incidents. Authorities have not indicated any changes to safety protocols in tower blocks following the incident.